Browsing by Author "Anil Sharma"

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Assessing Morphological and Physiological Crop Functional Traits of Underutilized Crops in Response to Different Nutrient Amendments in Vindhyan Highlands, India
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2024) Sanoj Kumar Patel; Anil Sharma; Anil Barla; Gopal Shankar Singh
The cultivated crop is frequently subjected to a variety of environmental challenges including drought, salinity, extreme temperature and low moisture levels. In which, drought stress is major factor, which significantly reduces crop survival and productivity, particularly in semi-arid region of the Vindhyan highlands. In response to this stress, millets and traditional crops have evolved a range of morphological and physiological adaptations to withstand these phenomenon. Therefore, the aim of this study is to characterize the morphological and physiological traits of underutilized crops under different nutrient amendments towards the dry conditions. A plot experiment with four treatments viz. control, compost, fertilizer and compost + fertilizer was conducted for eight crop landraces. The results demonstrate plant morpho-physiological traits as well as production were develop in accordance with following trends such as compost + fertilizer > fertilizer > compost > control. This trend was continued in percentage change of production and highest in white maize (41.97%) and ramrahar (36.93%) compared to control. Soil total nitrogen, organic carbon and available phosphate contents were shown a consistent increase from pre-sowing to post-harvest conditions for both cropping seasons in all the treatments. In the context of eco-physiological traits relation, PSR (Photosynthetic rate) was positively associated with plant height in black maize (R = 0.69 P < 0.01), baturi (R = 0.79 P < 0.01), masoor (R = 0.74 P < 0.01) and senduri (R = 0.78 P < 0.01). However, photosynthetic pigment such as, chl a (R = 0.66 P < 0.05) chl b (R = 0.78 P < 0.01) carotenoids (R = 0.71 P < 0.01) in white maize, while chla (R = 0.84 P < 0.001), chlb (R = 0.82 P < 0.01) and carotenoids (R = 0.76 P < 0.01) in baturi positively related with PSR. This study can help policymakers to make a climate-adaptive crop system for better production in dry climatic conditions and livelihood improvement of the local community. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.
Boron availability in soils and its nutrition of crops under long-term fertility experiments in India
(Elsevier B.V., 2019) Ruma Das; Biswapati Mandal; Dibyendu Sarkar; Amit Kumar Pradhan; Ashim Datta; Dhaneshwar Padhan; Anindita Seth; Rahul Kumar; Nirmal De; V.N. Mishra; K.B. Polara; Sanjay Sharma; N.P. Thakur; Dileep Kachroo; M. Ray; Anil Sharma; K.P. Patel; Lalit Mohan Garnayak; W.N. Narkhede
Using 12 long-term (of 15 to 42 years duration)experiments with different cropping systems under various soils and agro-climatic conditions, we studied how different (inorganic and integrated)nutrient management practices influenced boron (B)availability in soils, and its nutrition of nine crops. To this end, four nutrient management practices viz., NPK (recommended dose of N, P and K), NPK + FYM (farmyard manure), control and fallow, which were common in all the experiments, were selected and their effects on B availability in soils were tested using four commonly used methods viz., hot-CaCl2 (HCC), KH2PO4 (PDP), mannitol-CaCl2 (MCC)and hydrochloric acid (HCl)in relation to B nutrition of wheat, rice, cowpea, sorghum, sesame, mustard, groundnut, soybean and lentil. Amounts of B extracted by the four different methods followed the order HCC = HCl > MCC > PDP across the tested soils. Averaged over the extractants, long-term nutrient management practices with NPK + FYM resulted in 15% increases in available B in soil over the control, which produced 20% increase in plant tissue B concentration. Such increases with integrated (NPK + FYM)nutrient management practices maintained available B in soils and plant tissues above its critical limits that supplied adequate amounts of B for nutrition of all the tested crops grown intensively for so many years. A B balance study in six experimental sites showed a net B accumulation over time as irrigation water contained and supplied (130–296 g B ha−1 year−1)more B than removed by harvested crops. Of the four methods used, HCC was the best for assessment of availability of B in soils under long-term cultivation. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.
Diversity and Distribution of Traditional Home Gardens Along Different Disturbances in a Dry Tropical Region, India
(Frontiers Media S.A., 2022) Sanoj Kumar Patel; Anil Sharma; Rinku Singh; Amit Kumar Tiwari; Gopal Shankar Singh
Home gardening is an indigenous practice of cultivation that has effectively adapted to local ecological conditions over generations. This study examined the effects of disturbance and garden size on biodiversity to develop a better understanding of vegetation cover and its role in livelihood and provision of forest management in the Vindhyan highlands. Data were collected from 60 gardens which were classified into large (> 650 m2), medium (400–650 m2), and small (< 400 m2), based on size and disturbance gradients viz., high, medium, and low. A total of 133 species from 50 families were recorded, in which trees (47.4%) were dominant followed by shrubs (18%) and herbs (16.5%). With respect to disturbance, the highest number of tree species (39) were found at low disturbance (LD) followed by 33 species in medium disturbance (MD) and 32 species in high disturbhance (HD). The total mean richness of species was greater at LD (20.3 ± 2.3) and lowest at HD (18.5 ± 2.2). Tree density was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher at LD (293.75 ± 16.1 individual ha–1) as compared to MD (221 ± 11.5 individual ha–1) and HD (210 ± 10.3 individual ha–1). However, the results for shrubs and herbs density were considerably different, where shrubs density was highest at HD (70 ± 6.9 individual per 1,000 m2) and lowest at LD (62.5 ± 5.8 individual per 1,000 m2), while the maximum density of herbs was recorded at MD (466.25 ± 29.8 individual per 100 m2) and minimum at LD (370 ± 21.4 individual per 100 m2). The summed dominance ratio indicated frequent use of garden plants in bio-fencing, vegetables, ornamental, and ethnomedicine. Diversity (P < 0.01) and species richness (P < 0.05) showed a significant positive correlation with garden size. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the first component (PC1) accounted for 28.6% of variance, whereas the second explained 21.9% of variance in both disturbance and garden size with a cumulative variance of 50.5%. These components depicted the positive association with HD (14.34), SDiv (13.91), TCD (12.47), and HDiv (12.09). We concluded that the diversity of home gardens changed with disturbance, which crucially served as a refuge for native tree species in a degraded landscape. This pattern highlighted the importance of home gardens for plant biodiversity conservation and local livelihood, which must be a viable option for regeneration of deforested dry tropics, while also reducing the burden on dry tropical forest regions. Copyright © 2022 Patel, Sharma, Singh, Tiwari and Singh.
Evaluating variability in soil attributes and forest vegetation in a degraded dry tropical region: an ecological restoration perspective
(Springer Science and Business Media B.V., 2024) Anil Sharma; Sanoj Kumar Patel; Anil Barla; Gopal Shankar Singh
The land use change pattern from disturbed tropical dry forests has significant impact on vegetation and soil physico-chemical properties, leading to alterations in vegetation structure and diversity. Thus, aim of this study was to better understand how disturbances affect forest vegetation and soil physico-chemical attributes under varied land uses in the deciduous forest region of Vindhyan highlands, India. Soil samples and vegetation analyses were conducted across three distinct disturbed forest sites on three land use types using the quadrate method. The study documented 45 species in the tree layer, with 37 in least disturbed, 33 in moderate disturbed, and 28 in highly disturbed stands. Shannon, Simpson, Evenness, Margalef and β-diversity indices exhibited pronounced variations among the three disturbed stands. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant difference in soil physico-chemical properties (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) due to various disturbed forest stands and land use types. Micronutrients such as zinc, copper, and nickel showed significant variation, with higher concentrations in least disturbed stands. Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated strong relationships between vegetation characteristics and soil physico-chemical attributes, consistent across disturbances. Additionally, the principal component analysis indicated that the first four principal components accounted for 77.7% of the total variation in the data. The comprehensive research will add forest managers in developing long-term eco-restoration plans that will result in reduced soil loss and degradation. This study contributes to more effective forest management and conservation efforts by providing essential insights into the interactions between disturbances, vegetation, and soil properties. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2024.
I Cell Disease (Mucolipidosis II Alpha/Beta): From Screening to Molecular Diagnosis
(Springer India, 2017) Ankur Singh; Rajniti Prasad; Aditya Kumar Gupta; Anil Sharma; Sandra Alves; Maria Francisca Coutinho; Seema Kapoor; Om Prakash Mishra
Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) and Mucolipidosis (ML) share common phenotypes (coarse facial features, organomegaly, dysostosis multiplex) despite having different molecular basis. Thus, they pose great diagnostic challenge to treating clinicians. Differentiating between the two conditions requires a battery of tests from screening to molecular diagnosis. Besides discussing differential diagnosis of MPS like features with negative urinary Glycosaminoglycans (GAG), the authors also discuss the utility of p-nitrocatechol sulphate based chemical test as an important screening tool, besides establishing molecular basis in index case. © 2016, Dr. K C Chaudhuri Foundation.
Serum Retinol, Vitamin D and Zinc Levels in Under Five Children with Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
(Springer, 2019) Rajniti Prasad; Anil Sharma; B.K. Das; S.P. Mishra; Utpal Kant Singh
[No abstract available]
Socio-ecological Challenges and Adaptation Strategies of Farmers Towards Changing Climate in Vindhyan highlands, India
(Springer, 2025) Sanoj Kumar Patel; Anil Sharma; Anil Barla; Amit Kumar Tiwari; Rinku C. Singh; Sudhanshu Kumar; Gopal Shankar Singh
The Indian agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate change which adversely affects crop production and livelihood of farmers. The effect is more intensified in Vindhyan highlands, where prolong drought and high rate of poverty exist in depredation environment. In this context, present study conducted to explore farmers’ perception, attitude about climate change and adaptive capabilities. We undertook an interview schedules survey through structured questionnaire in Duddhi block of Sonbhadra district. A total of 400 households were selected in which 347 (86.75%) male and 53 (13.25%) female respondents have participated. The perception of farmers on climate change is presented in SI (severity index) which varies from 36% to 68.63%. The statement ‘rainy season decreases’ ranked first with SI (68.63%) followed by ‘temperature increases’ SI (66.06%). This investigation identified 17 types of adaptive practices which are frequently performed in the Vindhyan highlands. Based on the WAI (Weighted Average Index) score, crop diversification (2.0), cultivation of drought-adapted crop varieties (1.99), changing plantation calendar (1.95) were the most adopted practices. Multiple regression analysis between the socio-economic status of farmers and the adaptation practices, recorded a significant positive relationship with age (P < 0.01), family size (P < 0.05), education (P < 0.01), caste categories (P < 0.05) and livestock ownership (P < 0.01) of farmer. This study will be helpful in developing drought resilience farming practices for sustaining the livelihood of farmers and inform policy making. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2023.
Traditional agricultural practices in India: an approach for environmental sustainability and food security
(Joint Center on Global Change and Earth System Science of the University of Maryland and Beijing Normal University, 2020) Sanoj Kumar Patel; Anil Sharma; Gopal Shankar Singh
Sustainability of environment and food production is among the greatest challenges of the twenty-first century. Green revolution, however, achieved the targets of high food productivity, but at the cost of environmental degradation such as water pollution, soil contamination, climate change and biodiversity loss. Feeding the growing population and sustaining the quality of the environment are the two major challenges of Indian agriculture system. Traditional agricultural practices have been an integral part of food production in India since ages. These practices have the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change with spatial and sequential diversity. This review covers three aspects of traditional farming of India: cultivation, biological method of pest management and locally available sustainable practices of crop protection. Double cropping, mixed cropping, crop rotation, agroforestry, use of local varieties and resources with host–pathogen interaction are some of the prominent traditional agricultural practices in India which have to be strengthened in view of the environment and food security. Such practices have a significant role in achieving the sustainability of agriculture by improving nutrition quality. The overall objective of this article is to highlight the potential of these practices for the sustainability of environment and food production. © 2020, The Joint Center on Global Change and Earth System Science of the University of Maryland and Beijing Normal University.
Traditional Farming in the Indian Himalayan Region: Preserving Agro-Biodiversity and Future Food Security
(Springer Science and Business Media B.V., 2024) Sanoj Kumar Patel; Anil Sharma; Anil Barla; Gopal Shankar Singh
Globally, traditional agricultural knowledge has been established through careful examination of methods and practices, demonstrating ingenuity and tenacity of humankind. The Himalayan region of India is renowned for its unique and varied agroecosystems, which have been formed by centuries old traditional knowledge and methods. These diverse and tribe-specific traditional farming methods contributed a rich cultural and agro-biodiversity in the region. A wide range of traditional millet, cereal, vegetable, pulse and fruit varieties have dominated in these cultivation, that provide adaptations to extreme environmental events and climate change. However, increasing global food and nutritional demand is a major challenge for both present and future production systems. The variable climate, along with population growth, always raises demands and supplies of food. The Green Revolution increased agricultural production worldwide by employing high-yielding varieties, excessive amounts of inorganic fertilizer, high groundwater utilization and heavy machinery use. These advanced activities simultaneously cause negative environmental consequences by disrupting the production system, causing soil degradation and chemical runoff, which leads to desertification of cultivated land.. To achieve a sustainable cultivation system along with an expanded production system, a new sustainable green revolution is needed. This revolution can only be achieved by traditional knowledge of sustainable cultivation, which is mostly spread in remote and hilly areas of India, such as the Himalayas. The present chapter reviews and describes the unique traditional agricultural practices of the Himalayan region of India. This further describes the sustainable production potential and traditional cultivation techniques of these farming systems. It also provides a list of traditional knowledge of sustainable agriculture that plays a significant role in adaptation strategies as well as in designing a new policies for sustainable food production. Moreover, it attracts the global community with the prospect of enhancing the production of agricultural systems through the use of traditional practices. Heightened production will plays a significant role in climate change vulnerability assessments and policy frameworks for sustainable food production. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.
Variation in Species Composition, Structural Diversity, and Regeneration Along Disturbances in Tropical Dry Forest of Northern India
(National Science Museum od Korea, 2023) Anil Sharma; Sanoj Kumar Patel; Gopal Shankar Singh
Understanding disturbances is crucial for preventing forest degradation and resolving vegetation loss which remain to be a major concern. The present study was to evaluate the vegetation dynamics of different disturbed forest stands, based on cumulative disturbance index score in Vindhyan highlands, India. Our findings demonstrated that the mean tree density was greater in least disturbed (56.24±1.44 ha–1) than in highly disturbed (53.28±2.67 ha–1) and moderately disturbed (50.27±0.94 ha–1) forest stands. Shannon, Simpson, Evenness, Margalef, and β-diversity indices differed significantly amongst the three disturbed stands. The regeneration potential of tree species was found to be good (35.08%), fair (16.42%), and poor to no regeneration (48.5%) across the three stands, in which Diospyros melanoxylon, Syzygium heyneanum, and Holarrhena antidysenterica were shown to have strong regeneration capacity. Principal component analysis revealed that the first component (pc1) explained 45.3% variance, while the second component (pc2) elucidated 20.1% variance in both disturbances and life-form wise distribution with a cumulative score of 65.4%. Our findings would be helpful to understand how different disturbance–regeneration combinations influence the successful regeneration of tree seedlings as well as how variations in compositional diversity will impact the vegetation dynamics and restoration of plant community in dry tropics. © 2022 National Science Museum of Korea (NSMK) and Korea National Arboretum (KNA)
Zinc in the soil–plant continuum: A long-term perspective from selected Inceptisols in India
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025) Amit Kumar Pradhan; K. S. Beura; Ruma Das; Sagar Nandulal Ingle; Biswapati B. Mandal; Gorachand Hazra; Nirmal De; K. B. Polara; Dileep Kachroo; Anil Sharma; Kishorbhai Purshottambhai Patel
Long-term experiments are valuable resources for studying the nutrient dynamics and overall assessment of the impacts of fertilization and provide a unique opportunity to evaluate the influence of different management practices and agro-climatic conditions over a number of years. The present study was carried out in seven different long-term experiments to investigate the impact of integrated nutrient management on yield, Zn uptake by crops under various cropping systems and Zn distribution in the soil. The Zn balance in the soil after several years of cultivation was also estimated. Irrespective of experimental sites, 4 common treatments viz., Control (T1), 100% NPK (T2), 50% NPK + 50%N through FYM (T3) and an uncultivated fallow (T4) were selected for the comparative study. N, P and K were supplied through inorganic fertilizers and farmyard manure was integrated with fertilizers for T3. The treatment with conjunctive application of chemical fertilizers and organic matter (FYM) was observed to maintain a positive Zn balance (25.05 to 183.65 g ha−1 across sites) in soil after years of cultivation and evidently promoted Zn uptake which was 39.41% higher than the 100% NPK treatment across sites and crops. These findings elucidate the need to optimize different nutrient management practices under different climatic scenarios in the soil–plant system for higher yield and uptake of crucial nutrients like Zn, which is a need for sustainable agriculture and human health. © 2025 British Society of Soil Science.